The arbitrage window for U.S. crude to Asia may close due to soaring tanker rates and cheaper Middle Eastern oil closer to demand. Shipping costs from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Asia have hit $70,000/day, potentially making the route uneconomical, analysts say. Middle East-Asia route is shorter and pricier.

Higher tanker rates narrow U.S.-Asia oil arbitrage, with additional cost reaching $1.75/barrel. Middle Eastern benchmarks Dubai, Oman, and Murban premiums over Brent Crude are decreasing, making Middle Eastern shipments more affordable. Murban premium over Brent futures dropped from $3.84/barrel to $1.63/barrel in recent weeks.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Arbitrage Window Closing for American Crude in Asia